Annals of surgery
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The number of lymph nodes removed predicts survival in esophageal cancer: an international study on the impact of extent of surgical resection.
Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data indicate that number of lymph nodes removed impacts survival in gastric cancer. Our aim was to study this relationship in esophageal cancer. ⋯ The number of lymph nodes removed is an independent predictor of survival after esophagectomy for cancer. To maximize this survival benefit a minimum of 23 regional lymph nodes must be removed.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Utilization, outcomes, and retransplantation of liver allografts from donation after cardiac death: implications for further expansion of the deceased-donor pool.
Utilization, outcomes, and retransplantation (ReTx) of liver allografts obtained by donation after cardiac death (DCD) are examined to identify mechanisms to optimize donation. ⋯ DCD utilization is impeded by early outcomes and a temporally different failure pattern that limits access to ReTx. Allocation policy that recognizes these limitations and increases access to ReTx is necessary for expansion of this donor population.
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Comparative Study
Early aggressive use of fresh frozen plasma does not improve outcome in critically injured trauma patients.
Recent data from Iraq supporting early aggressive use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in a 1:1 ratio to packed red blood cells (PRBCs) has led many civilian trauma centers to adopt this resource intensive strategy. ⋯ Early and aggressive use of FFP does not improve outcome after civilian injury. This may reflect inherent differences compared with military injury; however, this practice should be reevaluated.
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Comparative Study
Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: preferred technique for removal of benign tumors and isolated metastases.
Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) is a minimally invasive approach to removal of the adrenal gland. This anatomically direct approach, popularized by Walz, minimizes dissection and affords early access to the adrenal vein. We report the largest experience to date of PRA in the United States. ⋯ PRA is safe, avoids intra-abdominal adjacent organ mobilization, is unaffected by the presence of intra-abdominal adhesions, and is possible in obese patients. PRA may be the preferred technique for removing benign adrenal tumors and isolated metastases.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial comparing early (7 day) corticosteroid cessation versus long-term, low-dose corticosteroid therapy.
To compare outcomes with early corticosteroid withdrawal (CSWD) and chronic low dose corticosteroid therapy (CCS). ⋯ Early CSWD, compared with CCS, is associated with an increase in BCAR primarily because of mild, Banff 1A, steroid-sensitive rejection, yet provides similar long-term renal allograft survival and function. CSWD provides improvements in cardiovascular risk factors (triglycerides, NODAT requiring insulin, weight gain). Tacrolimus/MMF/antibody induction therapy allows early CSWD with results comparable to long-term low dose (5 mg/d) prednisone therapy.